Having trouble getting out of bed in the morning?

Wednesday, April 15, 2020 12:00 AM

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Getting out of bed every morning is not something everyone is good at. Being quarantined at home can make it even harder. Whether you had a late night working from home, you aren’t sleeping well, or you simply aren’t a morning person — waking up isn’t always easy.

How your day starts can impact your mood for the rest of the day. If you’re feeling groggy after you wake up or late-starts have you rushing, it’s time for a change.

Here are a few tips to help you get out of bed, and make mornings less dreadful:

Drink water

Ever wake up in the middle of the night to run to the bathroom? A full bladder can be a strong motivator. Drink water before bed in order to wake up in the morning. Experiment with the time and amount you drink before bed, so you’re not woken up by your bladder in the middle of the night.

Open your blinds

If you open the blinds before bed, the sun acts as a natural reminder of the next day, telling your body to reset its biological clock, known as your circadian rhythm. By resetting you, the sun is telling you to wake up.

Exercise

Exercising releases endorphins that energize you for the day ahead. You can still practice social distancing and get a run in every morning. If morning exercise doesn’t work for you, try sitting up in bed, throwing your hands up in the air and yelling, “yeah!” This action can produce similar chemicals that help you feel awake and refreshed.

Distance your alarm clock

Are you prone to hitting snooze? Ward off the temptation by placing your alarm clock across the room. If your alarm is loud and annoying enough, you will have to get up eventually. Just try and avoid returning to bed after it’s off.

Start on a positive note … literally

Create a morning playlist filled with songs that get you pumped for the day ahead. Listen to it in the shower, while you get dressed, or while you complete tasks for the day. On top of that, consider making plans you look forward to in the morning — like going for a walk, starting a new hobby, or video-chatting with friends.

Make it a routine

We are creatures of habit. Once you start, don’t stop. Waking up early on a regular basis will help normalize your sleeping schedule and make it easier to wake up each morning.

Dr. Gary Metcalf is a family medicine physician at Aurora Health Center in Marinette, Wis. His office can be reached at 715-732-8000.

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